schoenberg

In the latter stages of the First World War he was
conscripted into the Austro-Hungarian Army in the week of
his forty-thrid birthday. While in uniform, Schoenberg
took care to conceal his civilian notoriety, but
fellow-soldiers persisteh in demanding, "Aren't you that
controversial modern composer?" Eventually he replied, "I
must admit that I am: somebody had to be me, and since no
one else wonted to, I took it upon myself."

-- From article by Hanns Eisler in Schoenberg issue of
'Musikblätter des Anbruch'. Vienna, 1984.